As I always say, anything with Great in front of it automatically means at least double the price of a normal event. However in this case for me, being an athletics fan it was worth paying £32 to finish on the track in the Olympic Stadium and £27 to finish on the track in the Gateshead stadium.

I’ve attached the last documents to finalise this year’s summer league.

There have been some stellar performances right through the field and this has resulted in some cracking racing.

The handicap league has been interesting with several early front runners falling away (including myself) and close conclusion. The runners in the first twelve places after race seven had the potential to win the league and we must congratulate Shaun Alcock, the eventual winner; indeed, its “Well ran everyone”.

I have to thank Pete Dearing for all his selfless work organising the whole series and every one that has dug in and assisted as marshalls, time keepers, number recorders, entry takers and any other role I have forgotten. I can assure you that every runner appreciates your time.

I must also thank everyone for their positive comments about my abilities compiling the results. There have been some hiccoughs along the way and I have appreciated the assistance of Peter “Yoda” Taylor (Spreadsheet Jedi) sorting out some of the issues…..especially the spectacular disaster (some may say ‘fiasco) compiling the results of race two! Its been both interesting and at times intense and I have largely enjoyed the experience.

You will need to bear with me whilst I format the remaining documents which have taken a little longer to process due to some spreadsheet glitches I have been ironing out.

Due to this there are some changes to announce to the handicap results as follows:

Tom O’Brian, City of Hull has been promoted to third place on the night and is due £10. All existing prize winners keep their winnings as the last two places announced yesterday were tied and are now in joint fifth place!

The glitches have also resulted in a change of position in the final league table and promoted sixth place to joint fifth! The places are now as follows:

Shaun Alcock

Beth Dearing

Kevin Anholme

Kay Farrow

JOINT Emma Jayne Brackstone & Linden Washby

Peter Dearing will be ensuring that those due winnings will receive them, and Kevin Anholme’s prize on the night will stand.

Apologies for any confusion, I told you I should have just put bib number 163 in every finishing position………

I know you’ve all been waiting for these especially as the handicap league hots up. The two leaders both suffered on Tuesday, one not running the other not scoring high enough despite finishing in exactly his handicap time………well done Peter Dearing!

As ever, the leading runners pushed each other hard with some really good times, and in case anyone missed it, Mr. Keith (tedious) Conkerton ran really well once again for yet another personal best, joking apart, great running Keith.

Once again, I deny any responsibility for your individual handicap times, if you spot any errors please let me know; and if there are any then it’ll probably be down to yours truly…….enjoy!

Which came first the baby or the marathon? As I write this several week after the fact then most, if not all will know the answer. Zachary Tomasz White was very good and arrived a whole 11 days late ensuring the weeks of training were not wasted (there was a backup plan of London but I’ll get back to that at the end).